ESTUARY It comprises the Management Conference, the San Juan Bay Estuary Conservation Corporation, and its scientific, technical, and citizen advisory committees. Our programmatic structure ensures that partner agencies, organizations, and stakeholders in estuary restoration and conservation have adequate representation.
Study area of the San Juan Bay Estuary
Programmatic structure
The Estuary is comprised of its Management Conference, the San Juan Bay Estuary Conservation Corporation, and its scientific, technical, and citizen advisory committees. Our programmatic structure ensures that partner agencies, organizations, and stakeholders involved in the restoration and conservation of the Estuary have adequate representation.
The Origin of ESTUARYThe United States Clean Water Act
Section 320 of the federal Clean Water Act established the National Estuary Program (NEP), administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The mission of the NEP is to protect and restore the health of nationally important estuaries while supporting economic and recreational activities.
In April 1992, the governor of Puerto Rico nominated the San Juan Bay estuary system to the USEPA. Six months later, in October 1992, this valuable ecosystem received the designation of National Protected Area (NPA). In 2005, the San Juan Bay Estuary Conservation Corporation was established as a non-profit entity to manage the funds allocated to restoring water quality in the estuary.
Currently, only 28 estuaries have received the designation of "Estuary of National Importance" from the United States Congress. Of this select group of NEPs, the San Juan Bay Estuary is the only tropical estuary and the only one outside the continental United States.
Each NEP develops and implements comprehensive management and conservation plans, which outline long-term measures to address challenges and priorities related to water quality and living resources. To monitor and manage the NEPs, the USEPA provides annual funding, guidance, and technical assistance.
